Can You Freeze Camembert Cheese?

Camembert cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in the world. It has a wide variety of uses. This is because it tastes great every time – both as an ingredient in other dishes and when eaten on its own.

It’s no surprise that one might want to freeze it, but the question is, can you?

Can you safely freeze Camembert cheese? The answer is yes, but you may be sacrificing some of its quality in the process. If you are looking to eat your camembert without any preparation or cooking, freezing is not recommended, as it will inevitably affect the texture of the cheese. However, for those that want to prepare a dip or something else, freezing is a fine option.

No matter the plans you have for your Camembert, if you want to freeze it successfully, you need to know how to do it. There are ways to ensure that you will preserve as much of the taste as possible.

If you want to learn how to freeze your Camembert cheese, read on!

Freezing the Perfect Camembert

Camembert goes well with so many different dishes, it’s hard to even begin to name them all. Definitely one of the most popular cheeses in the world, it is enjoyed in many homes by millions of people.

It is the key ingredient to countless dips, sauces, and cheese-based meals such as casseroles or pasta dishes.

That aside, many people enjoy it without any type of preparation. Camembert works excellently on a cheese platter with a bottle of your favorite wine, as an addition to some bread, or just as a snack with nothing else added to it.

It has a unique flavor that no other type of cheese has ever quite managed to replicate. As such, it’s safe to say that it’s an absolute favorite for many people.

Speaking of cheese platters, we just love this bamboo charcuterie tray on Amazon.

Despite its many virtues, Camembert is not the cheapest of cheeses. Some kinds can be downright expensive, while others are relatively affordable for the type but still pricier than some other kinds. 

Since buying Camembert can be a bit of an expense, when you find some on sale, you may want to stock up. This is a good idea, as Camembert stores remarkably well and can be eaten weeks after purchase.

Upsides and Downsides to Freezing Camembert Cheese

What if you really bought a lot and want to freeze some of it? You can, but there are some limitations.

When it comes to cheeses, freezing always affects their texture. Hard or semi-hard cheese can be frozen, but it will have a tendency to become crumbly or have a less enjoyable texture when taken out of the freezer.

The upside is that you may safely freeze many kinds of cheese, Camembert included, if you don’t plan on eating it as-is when you defrost it later.

If you melt your cheese into a sauce, a dip or something else, you will not experience any changes in texture or flavor.

The Upsides of Freezing Camembert

• Extends the shelf-life – while Camembert is a rather durable kind of cheese that keeps well in the fridge, you can’t expect it to last for months. In the fridge, you can.
• Allows you to stock up – if you find a great deal on Camembert or you simply like to be sure you have it at home at all times, freezing is a good option.
• Nothing goes to waste – got some leftover camembert you don’t currently know what to do with? Don’t throw it out, freeze it!
• It keeps very well for a very long time – you can expect it to retain its quality for up to 6 months.
• Remains safe to eat even after 6 months – while the taste may become affected with time, Camembert will still be safe to eat. If frozen properly it will keep indefinitely.

The Downsides of Freezing Camembert

• It may become crumbly – this is something that happens no matter how long you freeze Camembert for. However, the longer it’s frozen, the more the texture will be affected.
• It may lose some of its flavor – fortunately, this is not a big deal with Camembert cheeses. Most of the flavor will be retained, but due to the texture change, you may perceive it differently.
• It may also become rubbery.
• It is best kept in a refrigerator and not very well suited to being frozen solid.

Now that you know the ups and downs of freezing your favorite cheese, you may be wondering what you can possibly to do ensure it freezes well.

To help you freeze and later defrost Camembert, we have prepared a handy in-depth guide that you will find below.

In-Depth Guide to Freezing Camembert

There are ways in which to freeze Camembert that will improve its quality. If you want to achieve the perfect texture and flavor, it’s good to take some time during the freezing process to make that happen.

Camembert is a rather delicate cheese that needs to be treated with care, including how you choose to cut it. Our favorite knife to cut soft cheeses is this one on Amazon.

On the other hand, it is among the list of cheeses that chefs recommend for freezing. As long as you’re aware that your cheese will be mostly good for cooking and not for being eaten as-is, you can safely freeze Camembert.

The other key point in freezing Camembert comes after you remove it from the freezer and try to defrost it. Let’s take a closer look at both of those processes.

How to Freeze Camembert

Freezing Camembert the right way requires more preparation than you might first think. Don’t just chuck it in the freezer and hope for the best. If you spend a few minutes preparing your Camembert, your future self will thank you.

1. To begin with, you need to choose the right cheese. Your ideal Camembert will not have any dry or cracked edges or mold that doesn’t belong. It should also be well within the best-before date, especially if you’re planning to freeze it for a long time.
2. If the Camembert is hard or semi-hard, you can freeze it right away. However, if it’s soft, you should wait until it reaches its desired ripeness.
3. Once you’ve chosen the best Camembert, you can begin with the freezing.
4. Cut the cheese into portions that will be no larger than half a pound each. 
5. Wrap the pieces tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil. You can also use plastic freezer wrap or alternatively, a heavy-duty freezer bag.
6. Make sure to label the cheese when you put it in.
7. Put it in the freezer and leave it to freeze.
8. The temperature in your freezer should not go above 20 degrees Celsius. 

How to Defrost Camembert

There are two sides to every coin. When you freeze Camembert, you may keep it in the freezer for months without compromising its quality too much. But there are times when you will want to use it. How do you defrost it safely?

1. Remove the desired amount of camembert from the freezer. 
2. Place it on a plate.
3. Transfer Camembert from the freezer into the refrigerator.
4. Allow it to slowly defrost over a day or two.

This method is not ideal if you need your Camembert right now, but it is the one that preserves most of its quality!

If you really want to, you can microwave it, but you will be most unhappy with the texture. It will become rubbery and lose some of its flavor.

Another defrosting option, albeit less recommended than the first one, is to defrost Camembert by keeping it in cold water.

This will have the desired effect quicker than the fridge method, but it’s not ideal for the consistency of your cheese.

Related Questions

We hope that our guide helped you learn all about the freezing and defrosting of Camembert. If you find yourself with pressing questions still in your mind, read on below to see the answers to the most common ones!

How Long Can I Keep Camembert in the Fridge After Defrosting?

Once you do defrost your Camembert, you can keep it in the fridge for an additional up to 4 days before you really have to eat it.

In general, products that used to be frozen and have since thawed should be eaten as quickly as possible to allow for maximum taste.

How Much Cheese Can Be Stored at a Time?

You can store however much cheese you need. We don’t recommend freezing big wedges without breaking them up first.

As such, if you’re ever in the mood for some camembert, you won’t have to defrost a whole big portion when all you wanted was something small to make some sauce with.

What Are Some of the Best Cheeses to Freeze?

You will be pleased to know that Camembert is amongst the best cheeses to freeze, as it can actually keep indefinitely if frozen right. Some other cheeses you can freeze are:

• Mozzarella
• Muenster
• Port du Salut
• Edam
• Cheddar
• Parmesan
• Provolone
• Romano
• Swiss
• Blue Cheese (definitely becomes crumbly when defrosted)

Up Next: Hard Cheese Vs Soft Cheese – What’s The Difference?